The documentary, produced in early 2011, is based on “Rex: An Illustrated History of the School of Design,” by Stephen Hales, M.D., who is also a Rex official. Hales details not only the role Rex played in creating New Orleans’ carnival, but how it helped transform it from a small local celebration into the greatest free show on earth.

Hosted by Loyola’s director of the Center for Environmental Communication, Robert Thomas, Ph.D., the program offers an in-depth peek into the Rex Organization, its traditions and the impact it continues to make on the New Orleans community.

“While Rex is a well-known organization, they’ve been very public and very much involved in the community, which has certainly been exemplified by the Pro Bono Publico Foundation,” Thomas said. “Most people just think about Rex as the King of Carnival, but the organization is much more than just a parade, it’s part of a long-standing commitment to New Orleans. I’m glad that we had the opportunity to tell this story."

The documentary was produced by alumnus Braden Piper ’10, Loyola professor of Music Industry Studies John Snyder, J.D., and videographer Kurt Wulff and be can be viewed online. For more information, contact Matt Lambert in the Office of Public Affairs at 504-861-5448 or email mlambert@loyno.edu.

LoyNews is an e-newswire produced by the Loyola University New Orleans Office of Public Affairs. LoyNews is distributed weekly to local, regional and national news media outlets, communicating the latest news and accomplishments of the university and its community.